Journal Entries

Départ pour Madrid

Silver City was a great town to zero in, although we are still learning the best way to resupply so we spent a lot of time running around getting not much done. It's a super cool little town though, and it boasts two stores that carry hiking supplies so it is a good spot for getting a few bits and pieces if you need.

The hike out to Little Bear creek was pretty mellow (only 12miles) and we took our time (thinking we would have a few low mileage days). The next day, however, we had a near constant climb for several miles, and th altitude really kicked our butts. Guthook was also incorrect about the mileage, we were expecting a 15 mile day and ended up doing a 19.2 mile day. The views were pretty epic though.

Tomorrow, on to the Gila!

Hiked up and over Burro Peak yesterday- our biggest day yet! 23 miles up to 8050ft, and nearly ran out of water no less. Other hikers, note that almost all the water sources on both the ascent and descent were almost completely dry. Also, there is no view from the top!? Gipped

We ended up spending the night at Burro Mountain Homestead, then cut out 20miles by following Tyrone road and the Hwy 90 up to Silver City. We are all pretty worse for wear after 19.5 miles of road walking today and that behemoth yesterday. Good to have a zero day tomorrow.

If you look carefully, you can see the desert we crossed way off in the background, then the town of Lordsburg. These New Mexico mountains are amazing though. 18.7 miles yesterday. About 20 to do today to get to Borough Mountain campground...

Another stretch of desert with no relent from the sun....

Today, I am on a break at mile 344 near Erwin, TN at the Cantarroso Farm and Hostel. The view is from an overlook on the trail with a view of the Nolichucky River. These overlooks are amazing but some of them make me downright dizzy!

Last week my son picked me up at Natures Inn at mile 319 near Sams Gap and we went to Knoxville TN to visit his wife’s grandparents. It was quite a treat because I was meeting them for the first time and they were so gracious and had a beautiful home. Especially wonderful was seeing my two year old granddaughter Anna Marie-I have missed her ever-smiling face. Just to add to all the wonderful ness-I got celebrate my birthday and my son’s birthday too!

So maybe I am not moving up the trail in record time. One thing about the Appalachian Trail is that hikers have different goals and objectives. My primary objective is to stay injury free and so far I have! I still struggle with the foot pain that I have had all my life, but at least I don’t get blisters! All my outdoors barefoot life as permaculture gardener has seen to that.

Another objective newly discovered is to explore alternative getaways in beautiful places! I have discovered so much charm, kindness and downright beauty in all the various hostels I have visited. These are places worth returning to in the future.

A lifelong interest of mine has been useful plants-plants for food, plants for medicine, and beauty. Since I have all day to study the plants at my feet as I walk (saunter as John Muir suggests), I am learning new ones all the time and they stick in my memory because I see them every day.

Well, I have to sign off now and get my pack ready because I will head to the trail at 0700 in the morning. Maybe if I get up early I can make farm fresh eggs before I go. Today I had them for breakfast right out of the coop across from my cabin.

Thanks for following me. Please feel free to tell me about your adventures-AT or otherwise in the comments!

One of the conflict areas where I worked was Liberia-a country largely modeled after the USA. Rural areas suffer from a lack of clean water. As hikers we know how much work it is to collect our liter bottles of water—but imagine that you have to provide water for all uses for your extended family, elders, littles, the disabled and all. This arduous task usually falls to the women of the family. So I am supporting this project in Liberia. I know the groups involved and have met them personally in Liberia. Please read about the project for its interest when you have time. Donating is appreciated but not required. None of the funds go to my hike. Only to help the project get on its feet with an ultimate goal of self-suffficiency. GoFundMe.com/cleanwaterforliberia

Well, I passed mile 300 and had a pretty tough night and next day. It was raining pretty hard in the morning when I started out from the Hemlock Hollow Hostel. Most of the hikers had decided to stick there because of bad weather on the way. It rained early in the morning but as the day wore on the rain let up and the wind dried my clothes. I as feeling pretty good despite the wind and went over Firescald Bald instead of taking the Bad Weather Bypass. That might not have been the wisest decision I have ever made! Between the rock scrambling and the howling winds on unprotected ridges—it was downright scary. The views were stunning though and I did take about two photos on the highest ridge. I was too terrified to linger very long. Luckily, I’m from NC and I definitely want to come back someday in safer weather.

All was going ok until I reached about mile 300 and the torrential downpours started up again. I got completely soaked again, so when I got to Jerry’s Cabin Shelter I threw up my TarpTent Notch in a hurry. Only expecting rain, I did not stake the tent out as much as I should have. Most of us were sleeping peacefully when we thought the rain stopped! LOL, but it had turned to quiet snow and I woke up with lots of condensation in my tent because there was two inches of icy snow weighing down the sides. Fortunately, I had dry clothes to change into but my sleeping gear and tent were soaked.

I got up without eating or filling water bottles and headed down the trail to warm up by hiking. That might be the fastest I have ever hiked! Most of you know I am a very slow hiker. My role model is John Muir who is quoted as suggesting that we “saunter!” But I flew that day and I am not kidding when I tell you that Laurel Hostel at mile 311 was a real lifesaver! Laurel Hostel is just 150 yards off the trail and a lot of us hikers filled the place up, shivering and wet, and grateful to be out of the snow. We got a ride into town to resupply at Walmart and we all ate Mexican food till we thought we would bust!

It was a tough night and day that ended well. The next night was spent in the Natures Inn Hostel where I waited for my son and his family to pick me up for a visit in Knoxville. It was so good to see family and especially my little granddaughter Anna who is now two. As I write this, I’m back at Natures Inn and will get back on the trail tomorrow. I’m eager to get back but today there was a high wind warning and I decided to be cautious.

I think I am still on track to make Trail Days in Damascus and I hope to meet a lot of new and old friends there. Until then, happy trails! Peace is green, Slosh

One of the conflict areas where I worked was Liberia-a country largely modeled after the USA. Rural areas suffer from a lack of clean water. As hikers we know how much work it is to collect our liter bottles of water—but imagine that you have to provide water for all uses for your extended family, elders, littles, the disabled and all. This arduous task usually falls to the women of the family. So I am supporting this project in Liberia. I know the groups involved and have met them personally in Liberia. Please read about the project for its interest when you have time. Donating is appreciated but not required. None of the funds go to my hike. Only to help the project get on its feet with an ultimate goal of self-suffficiency. GoFundMe.com/cleanwaterforliberia

Well, this week we walked from the Crazy Cook Monument at the Mexican border all the way back to Lordsburg. 85 miles in 5 days (15, 15, 19, 21, 15)

It was hot, exposed and kind of intense. The temps weren't crazy (about 30 degrees Celsius most days), but the exposure was full on. On the 21 mile day there was a stretch of 12 miles with only one single tree big enough to provide shade. There have been a few places where we couldn't find the trail, or where we spent hours hunting for one cairn at a time in the midst of Ocotillo forest (the spikiest plants known to humankind).

But! We made it all the way here. I have pretty bad blisters, and my right knee and heel are both pretty sore. All of our feet feel like they are filled with lead, and all of us are hobbling like little old arthritis filled Nana's. Planning on having a much needed rest day here in Lordsburg tomorrow before we head for Silver City on Sunday. Wish us luck!

PS: it was lovely to get your message Ella, Zachy, Derek, Kylie and Rocket!

Here is a photo of everything we will be carrying for the next 6 months (not including the bear spray we will pick up in Wyoming)...

It doesn't look like much for 6 months, but at the same time, it looks like a lot!

Wish us luck!

Quick paced 5 mile hike up to Iron Springs Trailhead. Nice workout on a very windy chilly day.

Finished passenger side of garage paneling and installed 1/2 plywood to mount water system equipment. Progressing a little slower than I would like but it’s all good.